Vitamins for immune health

[Lindaan]

Vitamins C, D and Zinc are being mentioned as being good for immune health. Should we be taking them, and if so, how much of each would be save

[2016Longevity]

As for us: Vitamin C and zinc with fruit, produce and food in general consumption. Vitamin D-3 supplement 2000 or 3000 IU a day.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to 2016Longevity]

I agree about sourcing vitamin C and zinc from your diet. The amount of vitamin D3 needed is highly individual* and while quite a few of us would require supplementation, I suspect most of us would need less than what you take. I only need 1,000IU per day during the cooler months and little to none in summer.

*Factors influencing your need for vitamin D3 supplementation in addition to sun exposure and skin colour, are age, BMI, albumin serum concentration and the starting serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

See: theconversation.com/vitamin...

Neil

[2016Longevity in reply to AussieNeil]

we are vegetarians, cutting out dairy products, and eating fish or lean chicken once a week orso. our vit D Levels were way too low Before we starting taking vitamin D supplements, now there are back into the normal range. we used to take 2000 IU, Now increased it to 3000 IU. The higher the Vit D3 Levels in blood work results, the better, so we have been told by our PCP (primary care physician) and my husband’s hematologist

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to 2016Longevity]

For a vitamin (actually a hormone) for which most body cells have receptors, research is frustratingly incomplete. There may be a sweet spot with regard to serum level with the health risk having a plot like a hockey stick lying almost horizontal. The risk drops quickly to that sweet spot from having insufficient vitamin D, then gently rises. More than 4,000IU per day is considered unwise in the general population.

[Suzie42]

It's also dangerous to have too much vit D. A blood test first is better

[2016Longevity in reply to Suzie42]

of course a blood test needs to be done first, that’s why we were being put on supplements. I cannot see how someone can be really high in vitamin D levels in his/her bloodwork

[Suzie42 in reply to 2016Longevity]

Well you can be.....Google vitd overload and you will see. My gp told me she had a patient with it, when I asked for the blood test

[2016Longevity in reply to Suzie42]

it’s rare but it (vit d3 overload) can happen indeed , healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[LeoPa]

It depends from what you eat whether you need to take any supplements. It is always better to get vitamins and minerals from real foods. There is no one size fits all advice regarding this. Just remember that animal livers are the densest source of vitamins out there. And vegetables. Red bell pepper for vitamin c. Wild caught fish and cod liver for vitamin d. I take 15 mg of zinc a day.

[unairdefamille]

Thanks for the info. Why is Zinc important and in what form is best to take? 🤔🤔

[Senecio in reply to unairdefamille]

It is involved in the regulation of immune function. For males, it is also involved in sexual health. You can read more than you ever wanted to know about it here: ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Z... That page does note that elderly people are more likely to be deficient - maybe because we eat smaller meals than younger people. That seems to apply to a number of vitamins and minerals.

I take one or two (no more) "high strength 15mg chelated zinc with copper" pills per week. I used to take more, especially when I thought I had a cold or other infection, but finally worked out that it caused a side effect in me that involved gassy diarrhoea which was inconvenient (at night in particular). Since I cut down the amount to about one per week, the side effect has gone away.

As others have noted above, it is important to be careful about the quantity of any supplement you might take.

[Senecio in reply to Senecio]

Sorry it turns out that my link above doesn't work. If you click on it, and then edit the address line to remove the final that/ you'll find it works.

Maybe a friendly moderator will edit it for me!

John

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Senecio]

Fixed. You can edit your posts anytime via the "More v"... Edit.

Neil

[michaeledward]

After scoring a 31 on vitamin D blood test last November, my PCP prescribed 1,000 I.U. of D3 daily. I also take 1/2 teaspoon of magnesium (rubbed on my skin) to help my body absorb the D3. I recently had another blood test for Vitamin D and, oddly, I had lower score of 29.

[Astro617]

Too much zinc consumption will cause a problem with copper absorption and in the long run can cause neurologic problems. If you take zinc supplements its best not to exceed the recommended daily allowance.